11 February 2014

Just Push Play

It seems like there have been a lot of goodbyes in Walt Disney
World recently. In particular goodbyes to things that may not seem like the
biggest and best parts of Walt Disney World, but certainly parts that have
comprised the heart and soul of the resort for a long time. A while back it was
Sid Cahuenga’s and, as we learned over the weekend, today it is PUSH.

On Sunday Walt Disney World released information to Cast
Members that the contract for PUSH had expired and that there were not
currently any plans to bring a similar form of entertainment to Tomorrowland. Could
this be contract strategy, similar to the almost constant battles between cable
providers and various channels? Absolutely, and we may see PUSH return soon. Of
course, it could also be a done deal and PUSH has taken his last photograph and
had his last conversation with guests.

PUSH has been such an intricate piece of the Magic Kingdom
fabric for a long time. He has been involved in video podcasts, countless family
photographs, and special events, up to and including proposals and weddings. Once
guests have had a single interaction with PUSH, they will dedicate prime park-going
time, valuable vacation currency, to searching out the serenading and
occasionally, well, pushy conversational trash receptacle. That’s what you call
an impression, folks.

We may forget, between the character interactions and
masterful architecture as storytelling device, that Walt Disney World is a
business. At some point there is a bottom line, and PUSH and his operator may
have finally found theirs. That doesn’t mean that we have to happy about it.

The parks were always meant to be a continually evolving
environment. Musical acts and stage shows have come and gone with regularity
over the years, just as attractions have adapted and/or been replaced. PUSH has
played an important role in the entertaining of guests in Tomorrowland for
several years, but perhaps he has taken his final bow, err… roll in the parks.

I’m not going to gripe about PUSH leaving, and I’m not going
to gnash my teeth about the continuing changes seen throughout Walt Disney
World in recent years. What I will do is find a corner of my heart and mind to
tuck away my many interactions with PUSH. You were a smile inducing bucket of
trash, and I wouldn’t trade a single encounter with you for the world. Thank
you, PUSH! You will be missed.